Body language holds key to sorting winners from also-rans

In an elite competition such as Wimbledon, it is not only the skill of the players that wins games. Posturing, confidence strategies, body language, and overt self-motivation now form an integral part of the modern game.

This year we have witnessed Amélie Mauresmo finally shake off the monkey and win through in grand-slam finals, in Australia and now at Wimbledon. Yesterday it was the turn of the defending champion Roger Federer to show the self-control and conviction that was hard for Rafael Nadal to shake.

With players now carefully prepared physically and technically, the remaining dimension that will distinguish winners from losers in the big finals is mental and behavioural toughness. The one who on the day is mentally tougher, knowing how to use a range of self-motivation strategies, confidence skills, anxiety control and has a sound anger management structure will, if they can manage their body, win.

When players are under pressure, as Mauresmo was in the final this weekend, losing the opening set can often lead to a dip in confidence and an apparent total loss of form. Then to stop losing points is like stemming the flow in a badly damaged artery. But having acquired new confidences, new strategies and new self- belief, Mauresmo showed how to deal with the situation by staying physically strong, positively erect and not allowing her adversary to take control.

The men's final was equally exciting. Two men, undoubtedly the best in the world, each oozing a confidence that was, though, less overt than the women. The men seem to have reached a different comfort zone. They seem much more able to separate the game from the total experience. On their way to the court, pleasantries were expressed, they seemed able to talk between points or games in a friendly manner, yet when the points started the professionalism took over.

In contrast to the women, the men appeared to have achieved a greater comfort in their status, certainly not having to argue for equal pay as the women are doing, which probably enables them to separate the action from the public expectation surrounding such finals. To maintain the pressure, perform at outstanding levels and keep strong personal self-belief is a key part of the professional player's preparation. This year Nadal arranged accommodation for his entourage for the entire event, expecting to be in the final.

In the men's final the shoulder movements, the facial expressions, the arm gestures all presented some clues to the likely winner. Federer's experience was always in his favour. However, Nadal made an impression with his more visible self-motivation strategies, pumping his arm and shouting encouragement after winning a point. Federer, though, did not provide any real concerns, using consistent body language and relatively bland facial antics.

But mental skills will only work if they are aligned to body management, a convincing posture that is far from aggressive, but underpins mental skills, providing added confidence, awareness and resilience to the entire package.

Craig Mahoney is professor of applied sport psychology at the University of Wolverhampton.